Liverpool are now concentrating their efforts on financing a new stadium in Stanley Park, where they have planning permission, rather than redevelop Anfield.
American owners Fenway Sports Group had been keen to renovate the current ground like they did at their baseball franchise, the Boston Red Sox.
But property and land acquisition difficulties and other environmental problems have made a refurbishment highly unlikely. Liverpool is in talks with companies for a naming rights deal to help fund a new 60,000- capacity ground.
Liverpool council, who favour the move to Stanley Park to spark a re-generation of the area, have been pressing for a definitive decision to end the long uncertainty for local residents.
The fall-out from Liverpool's inept handling of the Luis Suarez racism and the damage it might do to the club's reputation won't help discussions with potential sponsors.
So Liverpool are lucky their kit sponsors Standard Chartered Bank, who have a big presence in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, have been supportive throughout the controversy and even want to be involved in the naming rights talks.
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